Quote:
Originally Posted by TooManyDimples
I exercise every morning, I'm at work for 9 hours and when I get home I'm exhausted. The evening is usually the time I will give into cravings, especially if I'm upset about something or stressed out. Besides physical things (like I said, I'm exhausted after work) what do you do to distract yourself from over eating?
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First of all, I know how you feel! When I was working I felt the same way. It was as if I felt like I had the right to eat whatever I wanted, doggone it - I deserve it!
That said, it's still a struggle for me. Nighttime eating has always been my downfall. Since I stopped drinking wine in the evening, the corresponding snacking has also gone away. But every once in a while I still succumb to that occasional snack in front of the TV, and it is PURELY emotional eating, as I eat plenty to keep me satisfied.
Believe it or not, I find coming here and reading the posts helpful! I see others having the same struggles, and it makes me realize I'm not alone. And it really does distract me as well as remind me that others have come SO far and been so successful that I just need to SUCK IT UP!
Most importantly, if you do succumb to your emotional eating, please don't let guilt derail you from your ultimate goal. EVERYONE does it from time to time; consider it a learning experience and move on. For example - last night I ate a small bowl of potato sticks that I didn't need and wasn't hungry for; I just wanted them and I knew what I was doing. In the past I would have eaten most of the box, but this time I was able to stop myself. I am practicing intuitive eating and I did two things contrary to the concept; I ate when I wasn't hungry and I ate in front of the TV. But that's all I ate, and I just said, "Okay, you're finished now. You don't need any more." And that was that. NO GUILT. Don't fall into the Last Supper trap - you know, "well I blew my diet so I'll eat whatever the h*** I want and start over tomorrow." It's easier to stop myself now because I'm not ON a diet. I can "start over" in the next minute, which is what I did.
I hope this helps!